Do You Have The Success Bug?

Success, everyone wants it but few people truly understand the meaning of success and are able to accomplish it. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines success as “getting or achieving wealth, respect, or fame.” but this explanation is defective and causes people to drift through life with blinders on. When people are bitten by the Success Bug, they respond differently. Some recognize the common signs and symptoms immediately and quickly develop a passionate interest and plan for pursuing success. Others flounder, not knowing how to proceed.

Success to me is:

An intense daily focus towards my “why.”

Involves multiple episodes of failure without losing enthusiasm.

Calls for my daily active participation to the four pillars that support my quest for success: relationships, personal growth, giving, and happiness

1) CREATE QUALITY RELATIONSHIPS

The success bug is contagious: you are the sum total of the five people you spend the most time with. When climbing the mountain of success for the first time, there is no need to make a new trail. Find a good path and follow it. When climbing this mountain and you hit a vertical wall don’t be afraid to ASK your network for help ( interdependence is more effective than independence).Many people lose out on first dates or internships because they are scared to ask for assistance. What’s the worst that can happen?

2) PERSONAL GROWTH

It takes time to be successful. That’s why it’s called personal GROWTH. It takes sequoias, the largest trees in the world, almost one hundred years to reach their maximum height. When first rooted they grow about two feet each year when given proper nutrients and sunlight to use their energy efficiently. If you want to be successful in any endeavor, you must put in the time and energy towards your two feet of growth each year. Attend seminars, read a book, transform complex information into layman’s terms, and teach someone else a skill you know.

3) GIVING

Plain and simple, there is enough money, resources, energy, kindness to go around. By easily giving people accreditation, your attention, and even performing random acts of kindness, you can have a lasting positive impact on people’s lives for years to come. Adam Grant, a professor at Wharton and author of Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success, mentions a group of people called “Matchers.” Matchers try to balance what they give and what they receive over time. Try to avoid keeping score because you will never win.

4) HAPPINESS

A few months ago a good friend of mine, Mark Fisher , shared a book with me entitled, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. This book had an immediate impact on how I take action to create pure happiness and use my white magic for good.

The first agreement is Be impeccable with your word. Ruiz states your word is a powerful force used to communicate, to think, and establish events in your life . You can use your word to create beauty, love, and, trust or we have seen word used to hurt people several times throughout our lives.

Don’t take anything personally. When we take everything personally it’s an expression of our own selfishness. We assume everything is about ME. Ruiz explains that people will throw emotional garbage at you and it’s your choice if you decide to pick it up.

Don’t make assumptions. Ruiz states, “We make the assumption that everyone sees life the way we do.” We assume people have the same opinions, feelings, backgrounds, and life style. We are humans coming from hundreds of hundreds of previous generations and if you have questions just ask for clarifications.

Always do your best. “Just do your best – in any circumstance in life.” Remember action creates happiness.